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If you attend local startup events, then you’ve likely seen and/or met Alex. He frequents many these days in pursuit of someday owning a technology company of his own.

Like any aspriring entrepreneur, his curiousity and passion is intrinsic. But more so, Alex exemplifies a trait that will single handedly contribute to his odds of long term success above anything else: hustle. We’ve observed Alex over the last year as our first Entrepreneur In Residence and noticed something special about him:

He consistently shows up — both in person and behind the scenes.

After scrapping his first startup idea (an online financial aid comparison service) last year, Alex stepped back and retooled his approach for 2015. He strategically swapped a dead end sales job with Verizon for two paid startup internships, (When I Work & Elevate) to learn the ropes of startup life.

Meanwhile, he’s drumming up a new tech product to launch in 2016.

Considering his background — from telemarketing, door to door sales, and manual labor — to where he is now, it’s clear that Alex is growing into his ambitions, one day at a time. At 21, Alex is still in college, currently a Junior at Rasmussen College studying Business Management & Entrepreneurship.

“My father is a big inspiration for me as an immigrant who came to the US not knowing english and forming his own construction company. I learned from him how the right attitude can make all the difference. I’ve already heard “no” more in my lifetime than I care to admit, but I’m positive that if I stay hungry and humble, I will succeed.”